Mount Schiaron from Vissada Valley (CAI-169-196)
.169 We start from the F.la Zovo where we arrived by car and, after having adequately parked it to allow the parking of other cars, we walk along the path marked CAI-169. Initially, you proceed through the woods with a flat course. Leaving the forest behind, we cross the screes of Mount San Daniele on a recently arranged mule track. Proceed slightly uphill towards the north until you arrive at the end of Mount S. Daniele, from where you have a wonderful view of the Val Visdende, with the Rinaldo-Ferro Group nearby on the right and Mount Peralba in the distance. Now the climb becomes more concrete, always on the side of M. San Daniele, you rise for 150m at the entrance to Val Vissada through a steep natural gully between M. Schiaron and M. San Daniele on coarse gravel terrain; from here you can also admire a characteristic waterfall of the Rio di Vissada called ‘Pisandui’. Once we reach the gate that separates the valley we have reached about 1727 m a.s.l. and from this summit of the Val Vissada we begin to glimpse the C.de d. Longerin at the top left.
The road now climbs on the right side of the valley, along the base of Mount Schiaron, and after having covered about 500m of climbing, occasionally making encounters with some curious marmots along the pasture on our left, you can choose whether to make a stop on the large stone at the side of the road or decide to leave the route and walk towards the recently restored bivouac located in the center of the valley. After having refreshed ourselves properly, we resume the journey always heading north.
Now the climb is decidedly gentler and in a short time it takes us almost to the top of Val Vissada; Here we find a crossroads. At the fork we turn right taking the path marked CAI-196.
.196 The path climbs towards the top of Mount Schiaron. You initially walk flat along the old trench excavations dating back to the First World War. As soon as we go up to the coast we can see on the right side of the path the ruins of the Malga Val Vissada which once housed sheep during the summer, while, just above the road on the left, hidden from the passage but clearly visible going down, there is a small rainy lake.
Now we begin to climb on grassy slopes, the path is always well marked and not challenging. Along this simple stretch, on our left there are some military cavestations dating back to the First World War, now in a very bad condition. When we reach the fork near the summit, it stands out steeply in front of us. To climb it you have to go around it to the right passing under it and gain it from the south-east side on grassy slopes. In the crossing to the right, about halfway, you have to climb a gully with landslides and once you reach the top you can choose whether to continue to the right or to the left.
The easiest way turns to the right climbing over a boulder that hides the continuation, here the path is traced with stone cairns, we continue for about twenty meters along gravel arriving at the Sue East side of the peaks and turning 180 ° we just have to climb up to the cross which is about thirty meters from this point.
The route that leads to the summit, continuing to the left, is more challenging. On this side we go around the rocky tooth of the mountain and once on the north side, we have to cross a steep gully crouching due to the narrow passage. Dangerous stretch for exposure. Then, continuing horizontally, you pass in front of a slit carved into the rock and then pass the entrance to the cave settlement dating back to the First World War, dug directly into the top of the mountain. Still on the north side, you can reach the top in a short time through steep meadows.
The undisputed protagonists of the panorama are the C.de of the Longerin that look out imposing with their spires if we turn northwest. The summit offers a splendid view of Val Vissada and Val Visdende, but also of the villages of the municipality of San Pietro in the first place. Its central position allows a 360° view of the Comelicense area, the nearby Monte San Daniele, Monte Curie and all the neighboring groups starting from the Rinaldo-Ferro Group a few kilometers away. The Eastern Boundary Line is also clearly visible and a little in the distance Monte Peralba.
.considerations The ascent to Monte Schiaron leads to an altitude of 2426 m a.s.l.; starting from the Forcella Zovo you have an elevation of 640m and you travel 4.5km in about 2 hours and 30 min. The difficulty of the excursion is E as there are no particular difficulties and dangers along the climb, taking the final climb to the right of the summit. Conversely, the left turn, which allows the visit of military remains, is dangerous and no longer used. The descent can also be undertaken on the east side of the mountain, descending along the steep gully that at the end, arrives at a forest road that leads to the locality of La Fitta in Val Visdende.
.the Military Path Just before going up to the ‘Pisandui’ waterfall, accompanied by a sign indicating, we have a military path dating back to the Great War. The Mini Ring Itinerary can be faced easily starting from the CAI-169 path at the share of 1600 m asl before starting the climb leading to Val Vissada. Or, on the opposite side, along the road that leads to Monte Zovo with CAI-154 signpost. Turn right, about 200m after the Forcella Zovo refuge.
The route includes a visit to what remains of a pitch for mortars and winds along military walkways even in cave.
.the Beautiful View At the crossroads of the CAI-169 path, you climb a few meters and then horizontally proceed south to meet a fence and a bench. We arrived at the Beautful View and from here you have a wonderful view of the Val Visdende.
.the Bombard Back from a few steps back from the Beautifi View, the path begins to rise very steep. At the top we meet the ruins of a construction, in a very sunny clearing. We are in the bombard pitch where during the First World War the soldiers had installed bombing stations with mortars.
The path continues crossing a tunnel that comes out on the other side of the mountain with a wonderful view from the top of the woods; From here we continue mainly at altitude for rocks and gravels until you return to the woods. The way is equipped with metal ropes for the less experienced. The path continues by entering the woods until it comes to the vicinity from the F.la Zovo refuge along the road that leads to Monte Zovo.
.the Monument Near the lower Val Vissada, before reaching the bivouac, we can focus on a cement stone, well kept and protected by the incursions of the cows. It recalls the history of the 92nd Infantry Regiment and the 18th Battalion of the Guardia di Finanza, overwhelmed by the avalanche in Val di Londo that took place on February 25, 1916, and of the brigadier killed by an enemy grenade on June 12, 1916. In this place the 39th battalion composed of the corpses during the summer of July-August 1916.
.the Tunnel In the surroundings of the F.la Longerin, facing The Torrioni, we can descend slightly from the Val di Londo side, along a path half-hidden by the pines. Continuing on a slight slope on gravel, it leads to a tunnel carved into the rock dating back to the First World War. The eventual shelter goes into the Tower for about fifteen meters and ends on the other side, where we find an artillery loophole that offers an unprecedented view of the Val di Londo.
.water The track ensures a good supply of water, especially the first part of the climb in Val Vissada and up to F.la Longerin. The second part, on the other hand, does not present any source of water which must therefore be taken first.
.bike The climb to Val Vissada can also be undertaken by bicycle, although it is a stony and steep route, as the cycles can pass because the road is generally wide. Even the ascent to the summit can be with difficulty undertaken with a bicycle apart from the last stretch which in order to pass it we must separate from it and walk up.
.dog The whole excursion can be accompanied by a dog or more, as long as the animal is used to the altitude and knows how to behave on high mountain paths in the presence of rolling stones. Alternatively, you must proceed with a leash. In general there are no passages that can put four-legged animals in difficulty.
.shelter The presence of the new Val Vissada bivouac and the cave at Longerin as well as the caves on the top of the Schiaron guarantee a good shelter in case of bad weather, but also the possibility of being able to spend the night in the area in order to comfortably climb all the peaks of the Valley.
